I have recently acquired two albino burmese pythons with scars from either a burn or a cut. I had been looking in classifieds for snakes and came across someone a couple ads who claimed that the snake that they were selling had a scar but it was going away more and more with each shed. Is this true?
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Do scars go away little by little after they shed?
darkpythons666
Mar 25, 2005 11:22 PM
Replies (2)
rhallman
Mar 26, 2005 08:43 AM
Depends on the depth and nature of the scar, i.e. what tissue levels are involved etc. Minor scars may become less prominent or largely disappear with time and shedding. Many scars however can and do remain for the life of the animal. The important thing for you to evaluate is whether or not the scar is getting worse or if it needs any type of treatment.
Randy
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Firehouse Herps
Matt Campbell
Mar 26, 2005 07:38 PM
It's been my experience that most scars never go away, but based on the size and location may be less prominent over time. If the scars are the result of recent injuries, they tend to look better after several sheds, however they don't go away entirely. Many injuries severe enough to cause some scarring also affect the growth of scales so after subsequent sheds, scales and scars may take on a puckered or stretched appearance. I'd be more concerned about what caused the injury, as many injuries [eg. burns, rat bites] are indicative of poor care and poor husbandry.
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Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois
Assistant Curator
Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, Illinois
